Cheap flights from Budapest to Istanbul

The period around summer holidays and the winter festive season tends to cost more than other times of the year. Prices generally drop during spring and autumn months when schools are in session. January stands out as the most affordable time to book, with carriers often offering lower rates outside peak demand periods.

Carriers on this route fall into two main groups that affect your experience differently. Full-service airlines like Turkish Airlines and Air Serbia include meals and checked baggage in most tickets, while budget operators such as Wizz Air, Ajet, and Pegasus charge extra for these services. Some carriers operate direct flights from Budapest to Istanbul, whereas others connect through their own hubs.

Istanbul offers two airports that require different approaches to reach the city center. Istanbul Airport sits far from central districts, making bus or metro transfers a practical choice for budget-conscious passengers. Sabiha Gokcen lies closer to eastern neighborhoods but still requires public transport or taxi services to reach most destinations in the historic areas.

Currency

TRY (₺)

Power sockets

Type C, F · 230 V

Language

Turkish

Emergency number

112, 177

Driving side

right

Calling code

+36

Internet domain

.tr

Population of Istanbul

15.7 M (2023)

Time zone

UTC+03 (Europe/Istanbul)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Verify which Istanbul airport your flight lands at before making ground transport arrangements.
• Check whether your fare includes checked luggage if you are traveling on a budget carrier.
• Confirm visa requirements for Turkey well in advance of your travel dates.
• Consider booking arrival and departure flights with the same airline to avoid connection issues.